Apple CEO Tim Cook Meets With Indian PM Narendra Modi

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Meets With Indian PM Narendra Modi

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Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly met with Indian PM Narendra Modi on a number of topics, including Apple’s iPhone production plans for the company, potential future application development, as well as renewable energy-powered production in the country.

According to a report from Reuters, “Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a business summit in Washington at a time when Apple is targeting the nascent Indian market as a revenue source after its sales in China slipped.”

In the past few months, Apple has asked Indian government officials for a range of tax and policy changes to aid in iPhone production in the country. Additionally, Apple is seeking permission from the Indian government to open its own retail stores in India where it currently sells iPhones through resellers.

During his meeting with the Indian PM, Cook also discussed his intention for Apple’s Indian operations to be completely powered by renewable energy, with the transition to occur within the next six months.

Cook also claimed that Apple has generated 740,000 jobs in India by way of the “app economy,” and that local developers have produced almost 100,000 apps.

Tim Cook likely needs Modi’s favor, since Apple has only just begun iPhone assembly in India and may want further tax concessions. The company has also yet to get approval for retail stores in the country, something contingent on local sourcing abilities.

“We have a ton of energy going into the country on a number of fronts,” Cook reflected recently regarding Apple’s efforts in India. “We believe, particularly now that the 4G infrastructure is going in the country and it’s continuing to be expanded, there is a huge opportunity for Apple there.”